Patents by Inventor Gerald Kvalheim

Gerald Kvalheim has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11498164
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for remotely switching screw color or screw type feeding into a door assembly machine with an auto-hinge applicator. An apparatus having a turntable is supported on bearings and a framework. Each side of the turntable includes a screw hopper accessible via a rotary index. The screw hoppers receive a user input to make a screw selection. Upon receiving a selection, one of the hoppers indexes into position, allowing the correct screw to feed to the hinge applicator. Screw feed-hoses from screwdrivers on the hinge applicator are arranged to connect to a manifold below the screw hoppers. Screws drop from the hoppers into a manifold, at which point the screws are blown with compressed air through the feed-hoses to the screwdrivers on the hinge applicator. Screws can be reloaded into the screw hoppers when rotated in alignment with the hinge side of the door assembly machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: KVAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Kvalheim, Scott Bacon, David Schneider
  • Publication number: 20210402533
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for remotely switching screw color or screw type feeding into a door assembly machine with an auto-hinge applicator. An apparatus having a turntable is supported on bearings and a framework. Each side of the turntable includes a screw hopper accessible via a rotary index. The screw hoppers receive a user input to make a screw selection. Upon receiving a selection, one of the hoppers indexes into position, allowing the correct screw to feed to the hinge applicator. Screw feed-hoses from screwdrivers on the hinge applicator are arranged to connect to a manifold below the screw hoppers. Screws drop from the hoppers into a manifold, at which point the screws are blown with compressed air through the feed-hoses to the screwdrivers on the hinge applicator. Screws can be reloaded into the screw hoppers when rotated in alignment with the hinge side of the door assembly machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Gerald Kvalheim, Scott Bacon, David Schneider
  • Patent number: 11123827
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for remotely switching screw color or screw type feeding into a door assembly machine with an auto-hinge applicator. An apparatus having a turntable is supported on bearings and a framework. Each side of the turntable includes a screw hopper accessible via a rotary index. The screw hoppers receive a user input to make a screw selection. Upon receiving a selection, one of the hoppers indexes into position, allowing the correct screw to feed to the hinge applicator. Screw feed-hoses from screwdrivers on the hinge applicator are arranged to connect to a manifold below the screw hoppers. Screws drop from the hoppers into a manifold, at which point the screws are blown with compressed air through the feed-hoses to the screwdrivers on the hinge applicator. Screws can be reloaded into the screw hoppers when rotated in alignment with the hinge side of the door assembly machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Kval, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Kvalheim, Scott Bacon, David Schneider
  • Publication number: 20190084100
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for remotely switching screw color or screw type feeding into a door assembly machine with an auto-hinge applicator. An apparatus having a turntable is supported on bearings and a framework. Each side of the turntable includes a screw hopper accessible via a rotary index. The screw hoppers receive a user input to make a screw selection. Upon receiving a selection, one of the hoppers indexes into position, allowing the correct screw to feed to the hinge applicator. Screw feed-hoses from screwdrivers on the hinge applicator are arranged to connect to a manifold below the screw hoppers. Screws drop from the hoppers into a manifold, at which point the screws are blown with compressed air through the feed-hoses to the screwdrivers on the hinge applicator. Screws can be reloaded into the screw hoppers when rotated in alignment with the hinge side of the door assembly machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Kval, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Kvalheim, Scott Bacon, David Schneider